Eat Well. Travel Often.: Road to Hana {Maui, Part 3}

It's really no surprise that when people think of Maui, they think of the Road to Hana. It is one of the most beautiful drives we've ever taken with over 600 curves along the way. Thanks to a great deal we scored (thanks SWA!), we were able to rent a convertible and never was it more appreciated than on this day!

There are literally hundreds of ways to organize your day, but this is what we did:

Mile Marker 9 (before Road to Hana starts) – Get an early start and head straight to Ho'okipa Beach. We saw a beautiful ceremony here. A surfer had died and a huge group was spreading his ashes out a sea.

Mile Marker 2 – Twin Falls. There is a stand for juice and fruit, but if you hike past this for a mile or so, you actually reach the falls. Be prepared to wade in thigh-high water to get there, but it was definitely worth it!

Mile 7 – Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees. Right off the road, easy to spot.

Mile Marker 10.2 – Ka Haku Smoke Shack. We had the BBQ chicken and pork combo with rice. Jason says this was his favorite meal of the entire trip! It doesn't look like much, but it was finger-licking delicious.

Mile Markers 14 - 16 - Good lookout points and family farm stands everywhere!

Mile Marker 19.5ish – Upper Waikani Falls

Mile Marker 17 1/3 – Halfway to Hana. Good stop for Banana Bread!

Mile Marker 23 – Lava Tube. This is right on the side of the road. No one else was there, so we felt like we were in on some secret adventure (rare on the Road to Hana). Make sure you have your phone's flashlight. It's pitch black in there!

Mile 27 1/2 - Coconut Glen's Ice Cream. Absolutely delicious (dairy-free) Coffee Toffee and Chocolate Ice Cream!

Mile Marker 32.2 - Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach & Lava Tube

Hana - We literally didn't even stop. There is apparently a red sand beach there, but we missed it!

Mile Marker 42 (Past Hana) - Ohe’o Gulch aka Seven Sacred Pools. We hiked up the Pipiwau Trail. It is a one mile hike (straight uphill), but the views are awesome. Just a tip: If you keep your receipt from your visit to Haleakala, you get free entry! (It's all part of the Haleakala NP system.)

We ended our day driving behind Haleakala, through Upcountry Maui and back to Wailea. We hit this last stretch of the drive when the lighting was just perfect. It was just stunningly beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice. If you do the Road to Hana, PLEASE make sure you drive all the way around!